Coding is more than just being able to write code. It’s about thinking like a computer and breaking down problems into logical steps that can be solved using code. This means that your knowledge, speed and ease of coding are all essential in helping you get through projects faster and with fewer errors. But at some point, everyone struggles with learning something new or mastering a particular skill. Fortunately, there are ways to improve your coding skills and work faster. Keep reading to learn 10 ways to improve your coding skills and work faster.
Dive into the fundamentals
A few basic concepts are common to almost all programming languages, and they’re important to understand before you dive into more advanced concepts. Once you grasp the basics of programming, you can build on that knowledge and tackle more complex problems. A few basic ideas to dive into include the following: – What is a programming language? – What is a compiler? – What is an interpreter? – What is the syntax? – What are the different types of flow control? – What are functions and parameters? – What are variables and naming conventions? – What is source code and compiled code? – What is an interpreter?
Read code
Reading code from other developers is the best way to learn. If you’re starting out and looking to improve your coding skills, you can read open-source code written by developers worldwide in almost any language. There are a few places to find open-source code, including GitHub, but Start The Code is a great place to start. Their goal is to create a digital library of code examples written in different programming languages and be used by individuals, educational institutes and companies. Start The Code has examples of code written in JavaScript, Python, R, Java, C++, Swift, Go, and many more languages. Reading code written by other coders is the best way to learn what types of projects are being worked on in the real world. It’s common to read articles on how to do something, but no one writes articles on how not to do something. This is why reading code is so helpful in learning new skills.
Don’t be afraid to break things.
If you’re just learning how to code or trying to master a new skill, don’t be afraid to break things. This might sound counterintuitive, but understanding how code works and how to break it is one of the best ways to learn and improve your skills. You might not be writing code for a production environment, but there are plenty of environments where you can try out code without worry. The worst that happens is your code doesn’t work, and you learn why.
Pair program and train your team
If you’re a manager or the sole developer on a project, find ways to pair program with your team. This is the best way to learn how your team members think, what they struggle with and how they want to approach problems. If you’re new to programming, pairing with someone who knows what they’re doing can go a long way in helping you advance your coding skills. And if you’re an experienced developer, pairing with someone new to programming is a great way to help them learn. If you work in an office or remotely with other developers, schedule regular meetings with your team members to get feedback on your code. While it might be a bit nerve-wracking to show someone your code and ask for feedback, it’s a great way to improve your skills quickly.
Use a keyboard shortcut tool.
There are a few ways to speed up your workflow, but nothing compares to using a keyboard shortcut tool. If you use a Mac, you have access to a built-in tool called Keyboard Shortcuts. If you work on Windows, you have access to a few tools, including Auto Hotkey and Auto Clicker. These tools allow you to map a single key or combination of keys to a series of mouse clicks and keyboard commands. For example, you can use a keyboard shortcut tool to automatically navigate to the beginning of a line, select the entire line and copy it to your clipboard with a single keystroke. The more you get used to using keyboard shortcut tools, the faster you’ll be able to work. Once you’re used to how they work, you might be surprised by how much increase speed they can provide.
Write code in languages you’re unfamiliar with
If you want to improve your coding skills, you need to push yourself beyond your comfort zone every once in a while. One way to do this is to write code in a language you’re unfamiliar with. While this might sound like a bad idea, it’s actually a really good way to improve your skills. By writing code in a language you’re unfamiliar with, you have to think about the problem differently. This forces you to work through problems in a different way than you’re used to, which can make you a better programmer overall. While you might want to avoid writing code in a language that you’re totally unfamiliar with because it might take too long and be too inefficient, writing code in a language that you’re only somewhat familiar with is a great way to improve your skills.
Get feedback while coding.
There are a variety of ways to get feedback while coding. If you work with a team or regularly collaborate with other developers, ask for feedback as you work. This can be as simple as asking, “Does this look correct?” or “Does this look like a good approach?” The more you get feedback on your code as you work, the faster you’ll be able to identify issues and correct them. Programming is a very individualized skill, so it’s important to get feedback as you work. This can be anything from asking a friend or family member if something looks right to joining online communities like CodeHub.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you’re struggling with a particular skill or concept, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many online communities and forums where you can ask for help with your coding skills. If you work in a particular industry, your company almost certainly has a Slack channel or forum where you can ask questions related to your work. If you work remotely, consider creating a Google Forum or subreddit where you can ask for help as needed. You can also try searching for a coding challenge or problem that you’re struggling with and see if anyone has posted the solution. If you work in a company, try looking for a mentorship program or find a senior developer who might be willing to answer questions.
Conclusion
Coding is more than just knowing how to write code. It’s about thinking like a computer and breaking down problems into logical steps that can be solved using code. This means that your knowledge, speed and ease of coding are all very important in helping you get through projects faster and with fewer errors. But there are ways to improve your coding skills and work faster. Start by diving into the fundamentals, reading code, and not being afraid to break things. Then, use a keyboard shortcut tool, write code in languages you’re unfamiliar with, get feedback while coding, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
